Science of Fitness – serie

Explore the science behind over 50 pilates exercises to master each movement with confidence and control. DK brings you a ground-breaking health book that will help you revitalise your workouts and perfect your Pilates practice, by understanding the muscle action, breathwork and techniques required, every step of the way. Did you know that performing Pilates can strengthen your core, improve flexibility and posture, and help to reduce stress and anxiety at the same time? Backed by scientific research, learn how Pilates exercises benefit every system in the body. Science of Pilates reveals the facts with annotated artworks that show the mechanics, the angles, how your blood flow and respiration are affected, the key muscle and joint actions working below the surface of each exercise, safe alignment, and much more!Go on a journey of self-discovery to explore: - Specially commissioned CGI artworks depict all the main Pilates exercises with variations that add or reduce challenge. - Artworks detail the mechanics of each exercise, correct body posture, the muscles involved and how they engage to perform movements.- Illustrations featuring colour-coding to highlight how the muscles, ligaments, and joints engage, stretch, and relax to perform each exercise.- Pilates programmes tailored to different abilities and aims.- Suggested practices with a progressive increase in challenge over weeks and months.- Easy-to-follow infographics help explain the hard science behind why Pilates training is so effective and what beneficial physical adaptations it can bring.Set out to unearth the facts behind the pseudo-science fads, The Science of Pilates is an approachable, entertaining and easy-to read fitness guide for those seeking self-development backed up by solid scientific evidence. The popular question and answer format brings an immediacy to the information provided, and the highly visually illustrations truly bring the science to life in a contemporary and accessible way. At DK, we believe in the power of discovery. So why stop there? If you like Science of Pilates, then why not try Science of Yoga to help you better understand yoga anatomy in order to perfect your practice and poses, or Science of Strength Training to support you in your journey to build you strongest body. Complete the collection today!

Revolutionise your running techniques! Learn how to run better and faster, with more energy while avoiding injury. There is a science to running, and now you can learn about it too! Whether you are new to running, or have conquered a few marathons in your time, this runner's guide will show you how to train efficiently, find a suitable running regime, and master the art of running for life!Inside the pages of this running book, you'll find:-Explanations on the anatomy and physiology of the runner-Easy-to-read descriptions of how running involves every system in the body -A scientific breakdown of what happens under the skin at every stage of the running cycle-Featuring anatomy of common injuries and exercise programmes for both prevention and recovery-30 key exercises and how to perfect precision to optimise their benefits-Bespoke training plans for runners at all levels Expert-led insights backed by scientific research will show you how to start running, how to run faster, and how to improve your flexibility and gait for running efficiency and safety. Included in the Science of Running are exercises and training programmes that target each muscle to ensure you become a stronger, better runner. The clear CGI images show annotations to muscle mechanics so you know you are taking the right steps and perfecting technique. Learn the science behind your body's energy systems, proper hydration and nutrition. From long-distance to marathon running, this sports book will completely transform your performance of injury-free running and help you to smash your goals one step at a time, proving the ideal running gift for the fitness fanatic in your life. At DK, we believe in the power of discovery. So why not dive deeper into our successful Science of series, where you can discover the research and scientific theories behind exercise and sport. Explore the anatomy of yoga to perfect your practice in Science of Yoga; or redefine your daily routine with Science of Living. Achieve a healthier and happier you this New Year!

Packed with research and exercises that support you to build your strongest body - at home or in the gym.Is it time to lose weight, tone and sculpt, gain muscle and speed up your metabolism? This book gives you practical advice on how to do just that. It also gives you valuable insight into how nutrition and exercise can improve your health.Inside the pages of this strength training book, you'll discover:- The physiology and benefits of strength training - Workout plans for beginners, enthusiasts, and personal trainers- The hard dietary science that debunks common myths and important information to properly fuel your body- Depictions of 33 exercises: how to perfect them, common mistakes, and the benefits of eachIn this book, author Austin Current takes readers through the science of strength training, weight loss, nutrition and overall health. The book looks at why many people fear strength training, why they shouldn't, and how they can incorporate it into their daily lives. Filled with CGI artworks and science-backed information, this exercise book will help you transform your body and improve your wellbeing. This book also includes full workout plans and over 100 individual exercises. You'll learn how your muscles engage at each stage, how to do movements with correct form and how to prevent injury, and shows you different variations for home and gym. This book is also packed with nutritional information and includes dietary advice for vegans and vegetarians. DK's Science of series dives into the science of various types of exercises such as weight training, running, and yoga. Each book discusses the benefits of the specific type of workout and how you can transform your outlook about health and fitness.How The Book WorksThe first section - human physiology - introduces you to the wonder that is skeletal muscle and the mechanisms that underpin strength training's demands on the body. It will help you understand how muscles work and grow, and how the resistance work stimulates muscles to develop strength and size, alongside its positive impacts on bones and connective tissue. It also explains how the body powers muscular work and shows you how to calculate your own daily macronutrient requirements. Lastly, you're given an overview of the benefits to the brain, and the crucial role it plays in attitude and mental health.The second section - strength exercises - is devoted to a comprehensive collection of strength training exercises to perform, along with many variations offered to compliment your available training equipment, personal preferences, and level of challenge - at home or in the gym. Each exercise displays the muscles being used throughout the movement with detailed instruction on how to achieve proper form and technique; common mistakes are covered, too.The third section - preventing injury - explores common injuries related to resistance training, with explanations on how to avoid them and how to return to training if you do suffer an injury. A consistent and structured routine, including a proper warm-up, prepares the body for work, and the various mobility exercises and stretches given will help you tune in to how your body is responding to the training.The final section - how to train - outlines everything you need to know about the variables of effective strength training, such as training volume and fatigue management. Whether you want to build muscle, strength, or endurance, you'll find an easy-to-follow program to suit, as well as alternatives for those wanting to workout more often. Then programs form the base of your training and can be adjusted in the months and years to come.

Explore new movements and alleviate stiff joints with more than 100 exercises designed to keep you flexible, energized, and active for life. Pain and stiffness can create fear and uncertainty in our ability to move, affecting quality of life. Exercise has continuously proven to be beneficial against disease, yet people are becoming increasingly sedentary.More than a quarter of the world's population is insufficiently active and it's time we remove barriers to exercise and encourage movement exploration. The Science of Stretch is your guide to understanding the human body's resilient and adaptable nature and how stretching can play a role in achieving your highest well-being.Inside the pages of this book you'll learn about:-The latest research on stretching-Human anatomy and physiology-The nervous system and pain science-How to reduce injury risk with exercise-Managing a lifestyle catered towards healthy aging-What happens to the body when we stretch-Different types of stretching and how to implement them to best compliment your daily life or sporting activities-Finally, a series of suggested stretch routines are outlined, each with a progressive increase in challenge and tailored to different abilities and fitness objectives-alongside the tools to create your own bespoke workouts.Every exercise is anatomized in detail to make movement easily understood using CGI artworks to show how each muscle is correctly activated and each joint aligned. Whether you're taking a walk around the park or running a marathon, Science of Stretch will help you stay flexible, keep active, and remove the uncertainty from stretching.

Learn the science needed to perfect your stroke, swim faster, and endure for longer.Science of Swimming dives deeper than any other book to examine the muscle groups and bodily systems involved in being an effective swimmer; how they interact with the hydrodynamics of water resistance; and how you can apply this knowledge to streamline your technique and achieve your training goals.- Each swim stroke is anatomised so you can analyse and adapt your stroke to swim smarter.- Full-spectrum training programmes - for all abilities and goals - combine drills, speed work, and endurance with dry land conditioning routines targeting muscle strength, flexibility, and aerobic intensity.- All the latest scientific insights explained, including optimum nutrition, the importance of sleep hygiene, and techniques for mental resilience, to questions around wetsuits and open water swimming.Whether you're swimming simply for relaxation, competing for a club, training for a distance badge or triathlon, or planning to explore the oceans, Science of Swimming will support you both in and out of the water.

Did you know that yoga benefits every system in the body, from joints to hormone response, digestion, and brain function?Science of Yoga uncovers the facts and explains how to get the most from your practice. Each asana is demonstrated with artworks that reveal the muscle and joint actions below the surface, safe alignment, and much more.This expanded edition features therapeutic sequences tailored to help relieve common problems, such as back pain, arthritis, and anxiety, including poses that can be performed in a chair. In addition, a new focus on breathwork shows how optimal breathing both improves yoga performance and provides a coping tool for life.